Columbia, S.C. – Nominations are being accepted through Dec. 18 for an
award to recognize South Carolinians doing extraordinary work for the
natural environment, the state Department of Health and Environmental
Control announced today.

“The General Assembly established the S.C. Environmental Awareness
Award during the 1992 legislative session to recognize outstanding
contributions made toward the protection, conservation and improvement
of South Carolina’s natural resources,” said Bob King, DHEC’s deputy
commissioner of Environmental Quality Control. “Each year the public is
invited to submit nominations that are then reviewed by an awards
committee. The committee considers excellence in innovation, leadership
and accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting the
natural environment.”

According to King, members of the awards committee represent the S.C.
Department of Natural Resources, S.C. Forestry Commission, the S.C. Sea
Grant Consortium and DHEC.

Join S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and S.C. Department of Natural
Resources for the 21st annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep Saturday,
September 19, 2009, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Sweep—South Carolina’s
largest, one-day litter cleanup of beaches, marshes and waterways—is
held in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal
Cleanup.

Last year over 5,500 dedicated volunteers removed 60 tons of
debris. In its 20-year history, over 1,002 tons of litter have been
collected and recycled when possible. Anyone can participate:
individuals, families, schools, youth groups, civic and conservation
clubs or businesses. All necessary supplies are provided.

Charleston, S.C.—S.C. Sea Grant Consortium will hold the
annual Board of Directors meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on
September 21, 2009 at the Medical University of South Carolina,
President’s Conference Room, 1st Floor of Colcock Hall, 179 Ashley
Avenue, Charleston, S.C. Items on the agenda include a review of the
Consortium’s 2010-13 Strategic and Implementation plans, reports on
state and regional program activities and selected accomplishments,
2010-11 state budget request and NOAA/Sea Grant fiscal year 2010
appropriations. Election of the next Consortium Board Chair will also be
held.

The Consortium’s Board of Directors is composed of the chief
executive officers of its eight member institutions. Current board
members are: Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg, president of Medical University
of South Carolina; James F. Barker, president of Clemson University; Dr.
David A. DeCenzo, president of Coastal Carolina University; Dr. P.
George Benson, president of College of Charleston; John E. Frampton,
executive director of S.C. Department of Natural Resources; Dr. George
E. Cooper, president of S.C. State University; Lt. General John W. Rosa,
president of The Citadel; and Dr. Harris Pastides, president of
University of South Carolina.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, a university-based state
agency, seeks to enhance the practical use and conservation of South
Carolina’s coastal and marine resources that foster a sustainable
economy and environment. The Consortium is a member of the nationwide
network of 30 Sea Grant Programs that are sanctioned through the NOAA
National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Department of Commerce. For
more information about the Consortium, visit www.scseagrant.org.

Columbia, S.C.
– The Palmetto State’s freshest seafood and agricultural produce is
just a mouse click away through an interactive tool now available in
South Carolina. S.C. Market Maker is an online resource that puts the
state’s freshest agricultural products and from-the-boat seafood in the
hands of consumers.

Bringing Market Maker to South Carolina is a
cooperative effort between Clemson University Public Service
Activities, S.C. Department of Agriculture, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service.

From a farmer looking for a place to sell fresh-grown
baby greens to a grocery store manager who wants to stock his coolers
with locally caught shrimp, Market Maker’s online interactive mapping
system can locate businesses and products across the Palmetto State.

The innovative tool provides an important link for producers and
consumers, said R. David Lamie, Extension specialist at the Clemson
Institute for Economic and Community Development, who is leading the
project in South Carolina.

Details can be summarized on a map to show concentrations of consumer
markets and strategic business partners. Providing the information in a
map-based format, in addition to lists and tables, makes for a more
effective and user-friendly tool, Lamie said.

Census and other data to help producers identify niche markets is
also a feature of the site. For example, a producer wanting to sell
lamb or goat meat to Hispanic consumers can request a map showing the
greatest concentration of upper-income Hispanic households, and then
request a complete demographic profile of those locations.

Or, a chef who wants to buy wild caught fish for his restaurant can search for local commercial operators in the state.

“This
online tool will help the state’s agriculture and seafood industries
reach new markets and help consumers find just what they are looking
for,” Lamie said.

Market Maker was created in 2004 by the University of Illinois
Extension after a group of livestock producers said they wanted to
supply quality meats to grocery stores in Chicago. The initiative has
grown to contain more than 500,000 farmers and other food-related
enterprises in more than a dozen states.

The program connects all elements of the food chain – from farmers and
fishermen to processors and distributors – so they can more efficiently
conduct business. If a chef only wants to buy local shrimp, Market
Maker can help make the connections.

Hugh Weathers, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture, said that making these
connections, particularly between producers and consumers, is vital to
the success of Palmetto State agribusiness. “Market Maker compliments
our ‘Certified S.C. Grown’ marketing and branding program, which
encourages consumers to buy South Carolina produce and seafood,”
Weathers said. “Nothing’s fresher. Nothing’s finer – Market Maker
expands the free resources that are available to food buyers and the
general public.”

Niles Glasgow, S.C. Natural Resources Conservation Service state
conservationist said, “NRCS works with small and limited resource
farmers to help them meet specific market niches. Market Maker is a
great tool that will expand their opportunities for exposure and
profit.”